Unknown duck/goose

[jimbarnett]

Saw these two ducks along the side of the road in Okeechobee County, FL on 3.9.21.  The dark duck appears to be a Mottled Duck, but I need help on the smaller white duck. It could be an escapee/exotic since it was seen the outside the fence of an exotic animal farm. Thoughts?

[The Bird Nuts]

The white or pied one is a domestic Mallard and I believe the other is a domestic Mallard as well.

[Candydez12]

@The Bird Nuts, I have a question if you don't mind. I thought Domestic Mallards only had the white and black streaking on their chest, and the purple face. As these ones have a white and black, and a red chest. If these are also Domestic Mallards, are they hybrids with another duck species? Because I thought there was only one type of Domestic Mallard. Thanks so much @The Bird Nuts

[Charlie Spencer]

1 hour ago, Candydez12 said:

@The Bird Nuts, I have a question if you don't mind. I thought Domestic Mallards only had the white and black streaking on their chest, and the purple face. As these ones have a white and black, and a red chest. If these are also Domestic Mallards, are they hybrids with another duck species? Because I thought there was only one type of Domestic Mallard. Thanks so much @The Bird Nuts

@Candydez12, there are dozens of varieties of domestic mallards, not just one type.

Think of them like dog breeds.  From Chihuahuas to Irish Wolfhounds, they're all dogs with the same basic DNA they inherited from their wolf ancestors

It's the same with domestic Mallards and domestic Muscovy ducks; lots of breeds, all derived from each of those two wild sources.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Charlie Spencer